At Ditton Lodge, we work hard to promote the importance of good attendance and punctuality, both of which are essential for your child to make the most of the opportunities available to them.

Government research suggests that just 17 missed school days a year leads to 1 GCSE grade DROP in achievement.

When does my child need to be in school?

Your child should be at school in good time for registration. The morning register will be called promptly at 8:45am and the afternoon register at 1.00pm.

What happens if my child is late?

Registration finishes at 9:00am in the morning and 1:10pm in the afternoon.
If your child arrives after 8:50am they will be marked as late in the register.

If your child arrives after 9:00am they will be marked as having an unauthorised absence.
Pupils who arrive after registration should report to the school office, and sign in.

Does the school need letters explaining my child’s absence or will a phone call do?

We would expect a parent to telephone the school on the first day of absence. If we have not heard from you, we will phone you. This is because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure your child’s safety as well as their regular school attendance.

If we do not receive an explanation, or if the explanation is unsatisfactory, we will not be able to authorise the absence, and this will be shown on your child’s end of year report.

Does it really matter if my child is late or absent from time to time?

Did you know that:

• 5 minutes late every day is over 3 days lost in a school year?

• 10 minutes late every day is over 6 days lost in a school year?

• 15 minutes late every day is nearly 10 days lost in a school year?

• If your child has 90% attendance, it means that they have been absent from lessons for the equivalent of half a day every week?

• 90% attendance means your child has missed nearly four weeks of lessons in the school year?

• 90% attendance over 5 years means a child has missed one half of a school year?

• 80% attendance over 5 years means a child has missed a whole school year?